Mother and daughter ride side by side

A mother and daughter became the first to compete against each other in the side saddle ring, at the Royal Welsh Show last month.

Loretta Niblo was competing against her 10-year-old daughter Tegan in the equitation and concours d’elegance classes on Tuesday 22 July.

Loretta won the championship after winning the equitation and concours class on her 17.1hh Irish sports horse, Irish Imp II (Murphy), the first time one rider has won both classes at the show.

Her daughter came fifth and sixth in both classes and led the lap of honour after the conours class.

Tegan was riding her 12.3hh dun section B pony Lennards Luninaire (Mr Fox).

“It was a very proud moment, very emotional and good fun,” Loretta told H&H.

Tegan has been riding side saddle for two years, but this is her first competitive season.

Loretta had watched side saddle demonstrations at shows as a child, but growing up in north London never had the opportunity to compete.

The cost was another prohibiting factor, but seven years ago, Loretta, 43, discovered she could hire a side saddle from Elizabeth Turner in Cornwall.

“I took to it straight away and have ridden side saddle ever since,” she added.

She bought Tegan a pony pilch two years ago and as she was so keen moved up to a proper tree side saddle.

Tegan rides Mr Fox astride in the jumping teams for the Swansea & District Pony Club branch and also for the Gower Riding Club, but has just started to jump side saddle too.

For more information visit: www.sidesaddleassociation.co.uk

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now